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Austin events come in all shapes and sizes, including some truly quality music festivals. Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World, and on any given night, you can expect to catch a live performance somewhere in the city, with the 6th Street Entertainment District being one of the best places to find performing acts. As far as the Austin festivals are concerned, both Austin City Limits and SXSW are worth planning an entire trip around, thanks to their quality and mass appeal. The best festivals in Austin aren't limited to music festivals, however, and since variety is the name of the game, travelers are encouraged to consider all of the options when trying to decide when to visit.

The performing arts are definitely alive and well in Austin Texas, and this has a lot to do with the opening of the Long Center for the Performing Arts in 2008. A multifaceted venue that is used for all kinds of Austin events, the Long Center features an impressive 2,400-seat concert hall, a studio theater that can accommodate up to 229 audience members, and a variety of other facilities that are used for happenings such as galas, live music performances, and wedding receptions.

Other performing arts venues that cultural enthusiasts will want to keep in mind on when it comes to Austin events include the Paramount Theater, the Performing Arts Center at the University of Texas, and the Hillside Theater in Zilker Park. The former started out as a Vaudeville house, and today, it hosts a variety of events, including touring plays and comedy shows. As is true of so many other venues around the city, it also plays host to events that pertain to some of the most renowned Austin festivals. At the University of Texas Performing Arts Center, it is possible to enjoy university-produced performances, as well as major touring shows, while the Hillside Theater in Zilker Park is known for its musical series and its Shakespeare Festival, both of which are held in the summer.

While music is what many of the best events and festivals in Austin revolve around, there are also a couple film festivals that deserve a nod. One of them is actually part of SXSW, or South by Southwest as it is officially known. In fact, SXSW is a music festival, a film festival, and an interactive festival wrapped up in one, and it figures prominently on the entertainment industry's annual schedule of events. If you can't manage to catch the SXSW Film Festival in March and you are a film enthusiast, there's always the Austin Film Festival. This renowned festival focuses on the creative force that writers bring to the table in the movie-making process, and while it offers a variety of events throughout the year, the main Festival and Conference takes place in October.

These are some of the best events and festivals in Austin, but they aren't the only ones that can add some extra spice to your Central Texas getaway. For food and wine enthusiasts, an Austin wine festival can make an excellent addition to the agenda, as can the Austin Chocolate Festival. The Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival figures among the best festivals in Austin as far as food and wine festivals are concerned, and it is held in the spring. Spring is also when the wildflowers are blooming across the land, it is worth noting. Visitors can learn all about wine at the Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival, and they can also indulge in some savory food. As for the Austin chocolate festival, it features competitions for chocolate artisans, or chocolatiers if you prefer, and festival guests are free to sample the various products that are on offer.

Austin festivals and events can only add extra depth to a trip, and since there so many to choose from, travelers should have little trouble finding one that suits their tastes and preferences. In November, the Fun Fun Fun Fest provides prospective Austin visitors with one more opportunity to enjoy a music festival, while the Texas Book Festival gives reading enthusiasts a good reason to plan an October visit to the Texas Capital. When all is said and done, Austin Texas is one of the best festival and events cities in the entire country, and this is just part of the reason why so many travelers choose to include it on the itinerary when looking to escape to the Lone Star State.